Expert research and priceless consumer blogger and vlogger (video blogger) feedback combined this evening (Monday 7 May) to crown the industry’s trailblazers in the first consumer-voted Travel Retail Awards, in association with TRBusiness and m1nd-set.

Held in Singapore at the Conrad Centennial Hotel, the game-changing initiative recognised true ingenuity in travel retailing, with a total of nineteen awards (five airport, 13 product categories) handed out on the night.

[For the full list of finalists and winners and an image gallery from the evening see below].

For the first time in travel retail history, suppliers, airports and retailers discovered which airports and travel retail products are truly loved by travelling consumers from all over the world.

Guests enjoyed a fun-packed evening with cocktails, a four-course sit-down dinner, entertainment, drinks and networking laced with TRBusiness’ inimitable dose of added hospitality – a fantastic after party with a live band.

INVALUABLE INSIGHT, TRUE RECOGNITION

Winners will now have the opportunity to display the prestigious Travel Retail Awards logo, which travellers can identify at airports and on travel retail products worldwide.

The logo will become synonymous with real consumer appeal as voted for by those they trust; their fellow travellers.

The unique project aims to provide honest, quality feedback to airports and suppliers to increase and broaden exposure of the duty free and travel retail industry to the crucial end-consumer, as shopping plays an essential role in the passengers’ overall travel experience.

A six-week judging process involved first-round blogger and vlogger (video blogger) assessments, followed by detailed analysis carried out among partner m1nd-set’s unique database of international travellers.

As mentioned, 18 categories in total (13 product and five airport) were put in the spotlight, including a ‘Best travel retail exclusive product’ category award that honoured the best travel retail exclusive product across all categories.

Each product entered into the awards received assessments from travellers passing through airports in the past six months.

They also cast their views on their favourite airport shopping locations, mobile applications, social media offerings and much more.

Meanwhile, the carefully selected panel of bloggers and vloggers – all of which possess their own individual product
and travel experience – provided expert thought and opinion on the categories.

M1nd-set’s research accounted for 70% of the total score, with blogger and vlogger feedback making up the remaining 30% of the assessment.

A methodology used by m1nd-set has determined the finalists’ line-up according to a minimum scoring matrix in each category.

TRBusiness also joined forces with Women in Travel Retail (WiTR) to host a raffle to raise money for chosen charity Hand in Hand for Haiti, which helps to support vital relief efforts in Haiti to rebuild children’s lives following the devastating earthquake in 2010 and hurricanes last year.

Prizes in the charity raffle included a $1000 Singapore Dollar Gift Card to be spent in Changi Airport.

Through the incredible generosity and willing of the industry, the Travel Retail Awards managed to raise €5,600 for the worthwhile cause on the evening.

INCREASING PENETRATION & SALES

Janice Hook and Nigel Hardy, Co-owners, TRBusiness commented: “The Travel Retail Awards was developed with one sole aim: to provide honest, quality feedback and recognition to airports and suppliers through the lens of the consumer.

“In turn, we believe the responses garnered from bloggers/ vloggers and partner m1nd-set will help to simultaneously drive sales while increasing consumer awareness.”

Peter Mohn, CEO, m1nd-set added: “The winners can be extremely proud because they have been chosen by thousands of consumers from all around the world. Winning a Travel Retail Award is unique because there is absolutely no bias in the selection process and it is completely objective due to the fact it is based on ratings from people who travel and shop in travel retail and duty free.

“Each entrant will receive detailed feedback about how they were rated on various key criteria overall, and also split by regions, age groups, gender etc. I personally already received feedback from a few brands saying it will help them to further improve strategic decisions regarding the pricing or the packaging of the products.”

Click here for a full picture gallery from the evening.

All images courtesy of Grant Pritchard Photography

 

PRODUCT AWARDS

• Best children’s product

WINNER: Lego – Ninjago Movie Green Ninja Mech Dragon

Finalist: Steiff – Fynn Teddy Bear in Suitcase

Finalist: Steiff – Leyla Dog in Suitcase

• Best confectionery product

WINNER: Butlers – Platinum Collection

 Finalist: Al Nassma – Whole Nut edition bars

 Finalist: Butlers – Mini Bars

 Finalist: Godiva, Gold Discovery 28pcs

 Finalist: Guylian – Master’s Selection Golden Gift Box

 Finalist: KitKat – Mini Moments

 Finalist: Ricola – Sugarfree Herb Drop 75g Tin

 Finalist: Ritter Sport – Chocolate Card

 Finalist: Toblerone – Messages

• Best electronics product

WINNER: AYO – Anti Jet Lag Glasses [tied score]

WINNER: Foreo – Luna Mini 2 [tied score]

Finalist: Aircommerce – Smartlug

Finalist: Mitone – Kids Headphone

Finalist: ReboundTAG – Microchip Luggage Tag

• Best fashion & accessories product
  (including luggage & leather goods)

WINNER: Desigual – Inflight Exclusive 2-in-1 Wallet & Clutch

Finalist: Aigner – Pina bag

Finalist: Bric’s – Capri Carry-on Trolley

Finalist: Kipling – Art M

Finalist: Lacoste – Paris Polo

• Best fragrance product

WINNER: Oscar de la Renta  – Bella Blanca

Finalist: Anna Sui – Fantasia

Finalist: Dunhill – Icon Racing

Finalist: Gucci – Bloom

Finalist: Tiffany – Eau de Parfum

• Best make-up product

WINNER: Nars – Powermatte Lip Pigment (Shiseido)

Finalist: Perricone – No Makeup Foundation

• Best skincare, haircare, bath and body product

WINNER: Seascape Island Apothecary – Travel Essentials Trio Gift Set

Finalist: Fresh – Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum

Finalist: Fresh – Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Finalist: Seascape Island Apothecary – Awake Oil / Sleep Oil Duo Gift Set

Finalist: Shiseido – WASO – Your Skin Diet

Finalist: The Ritual of Sakura – Travel Exclusives

• Best spirits product

WINNER: Aberfeldy 12 years old – Gold Bar Travel Retail Exclusive Gift Pack (Bacardi)

Finalist: Choya – Gold Edition

Finalist: Crystal Head Vodka – Aurora

Finalist: Crystal Head Vodka – 1L

Finalist: Glenfiddich – Experimental Series Project XX

Finalist: Jack Daniel’s – Tennessee Whiskey

Finalist: The Macallan – Enigma

Finalist: Whitley Neill – Handcrafted Dry Gin

Finalist: Whitley Neill – Rhubarb & Ginger Gin

Finalist: Wild Turkey – Master’s Keep Decades Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finalist: Woodford Reserve – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Best sunglasses/eyewear product

WINNER: Travel Blue – Z-Zoom Reading Glasses

Finalist: Invu – Sunglasses T1802a

Finalist: Marcolin – GU7559 color code 28X

Finalist: Maui Jim – Ilima

Finalist: Maui Jim – Talk Story

• Best travel accessory

WINNER: Cabeau – Evolution S3

Finalist: nod2.0 – Ultimate Travel Pillow by Zdoze

• Best watches & jewellery product

WINNER: Toscow – Provence Romance

Finalist: Clogau – Fairy Locket

Finalist: Daniel Wellington – Travel Retail Exclusive Cambridge Combo Watch Set

Finalist: Frederique Constant – Horological Smartwatch

Finalist: Icelandair – Bracelet from Sign

Finalist: Icelandair – Ring from Sign

Finalist: Love X Infinity – Message Jewellery Gift Collection

• Best wines product

WINNER: Baron Philippe de Rothschild – Mouton Cadet Reserve Bordeaux

Finalist: Castagner – Grappa Fuoriclasse Leon 15 Years

Finalist: Ramon Bilbao Journey Collection Wines – Crianza, Reserva, High Altitude

Finalist: Oscar.697 – Bianco Vermouth

Finalist: Oscar .697 – Rosso Vermouth

• Best travel exclusive product 

[Highest scoring travel exclusive item from all product categories]

WINNER: Aberfeldy 12 years old – Gold Bar Travel Retail Exclusive Gift Pack (Bacardi)

 

AIRPORT RETAIL AWARDS

• Best airport for customer service

WINNER: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Finalist: Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Finalist: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

Finalist: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

• Best digital and social media offer

WINNER: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Finalist: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Finalist: Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Finalist: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

• Best airport for ‘sense of place’

WINNER: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Finalist: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Finalist: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

Finalist: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

• Best airport for retail environment (as voted for by millennials)

WINNER: Dubai International Airport (DXB) in partnership with Dubai Duty Free

Finalist: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

Finalist: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Finalist: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

• Best airport for retail environment (as voted for by all age groups)

WINNER: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Finalist: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Finalist: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Finalist: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Finalist: Dubai International Airport (DXB)